When Gabe Bingham arrived in Genoa City in 2014, "The Young and the Restless" fans learned that he was a wealthy childhood friend of Nick Newman (Josh Morrow). The duo went to boarding school together and became close friends. Gabe's antics got him expelled from school, and he and Nick eventually fell out of touch with one another. Gabe went on to get a degree at Princeton and later moved to London, where he became immersed in the party lifestyle. After Gabe's father died, he returned home to take over the family business. However, he ended up losing the company in a hostile takeover.

Meanwhile, Gabe was devoted to his ailing grandmother, Constance Bingham (Sally Kellerman). He lived in his family's mansion while taking care of her. A woman named Sage Warner (Kelly Sullivan) also lived at the estate and helped care for Constance. Toward the end of her life, Constance left her assets to Gabe, with the stipulation that he marry and settle down. She also included that Sage was to be taken care of. Gabe and Sage decided to tie the knot so they could both get their money, but their lives were turned upside down shortly after walking down the aisle.

Following their wedding ceremony, the newlyweds came across Adam Newman's burnt body in the river, and Gabe jumped into the water to save him. Unfortunately, Gabe drowned, and at the hospital, his body was misidentified as Adam, leading all to believe that Adam had died.